Official GATE 2026 Answer Key Release Expected Following Final Exams

Following the conclusion of the GATE 2026 exams on February 15, IIT Guwahati is set to release the official answer keys. As of February 19, 2026, the provisional answer key is expected to be available for download in the final week of February. This article outlines the challenge window for objections, the ₹500 per question fee, and the final result timeline. Candidates should prepare to use the GOAPS portal for score estimation and official verification ahead of the March 19 results.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has successfully concluded the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE 2026) across all 30 subject papers. With the final shifts ending on February 15, the focus has shifted toward the publication of the official answer key. As of today, February 19, the organizing institute is preparing the provisional solutions for all sessions, including the newly introduced sectional paper on Energy Science. This answer key release is a critical milestone for nearly eight lakh aspirants who are currently relying on memory-based keys from various coaching institutes to estimate their performance.

Timeline for Provisional and Final Key Release

According to the established examination schedule, the answer key release follows a structured two-step process. First, the provisional key is released to allow for transparency, followed by a scrutiny phase that leads to the final version.

• Provisional Key: The initial version will be hosted on the GOAPS portal, where candidates can match their responses against the official solutions provided by IIT Guwahati experts.
• Objection Period: Candidates will be granted a window of approximately three to four days to raise objections if they find any discrepancies in the published answers.
• Finality of Results: After the review of all valid challenges, the final GATE 2026 answer key will be released, which will be the absolute basis for calculating the All India Ranks.

The Mechanism of Challenging the Answer Key

The answer key release is not merely a document download but a participatory process. IIT Guwahati maintains a rigorous "Challenge Window" to ensure that the final marks are as accurate as possible.

• Fee Structure: As per the official notification, a non-refundable fee of ₹500 is charged for each question challenged. For international candidates, this fee is set at US$ 10.
• Supporting Evidence: To successfully contest an answer, candidates must upload a clear PDF of the supporting document or textbook reference that justifies their claim.
• Refund Policy: It is important to note that the challenge fee is only refunded if the objection is found to be correct and the official answer key is subsequently amended.

Scoring Methodology and Normalization

Following the answer key release, candidates can use the official marking scheme to calculate their raw scores. However, the final GATE 2026 scorecard will feature normalized marks for papers conducted in multiple sessions.

• Marking Scheme: Correct answers for 1-mark and 2-mark MCQs follow the standard negative marking of 1/3 and 2/3 respectively. Conversely, MSQs and NAT questions carry no negative marks.
• Normalization Process: Since papers like Computer Science (CS) and Civil Engineering (CE) were held across multiple shifts, a normalization formula is applied to account for any variation in difficulty levels between the sessions.
• Score Validity: Once the final key is established and results are declared on March 19, the GATE 2026 score will be valid for three years for admissions to M.Tech programs and PSU recruitment.

Conclusion

The upcoming answer key release represents the final administrative hurdle before the declaration of results for the GATE 2026 session. As of today, February 19, IIT Guwahati has ensured that the digital infrastructure is ready for the high traffic expected during the final week of February. Aspirants are advised to keep their Enrollment IDs ready and regularly check the official GOAPS portal for the direct link. By providing a transparent window for objections, the organizing institute guarantees a fair assessment for every candidate. This rigorous approach not only settles the immediate curiosity of students regarding their scores but also prepares them for the next stage of their academic and professional careers in engineering and technology.

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